Your route to becoming a
Racing Groom
Over 19 years old
not in racing
Don’t worry if you haven’t worked in racing before and have no or limited experience of working with horses. There are training options for beginners or novices of any age.
If you have already used Government funding for other equine training, you may be eligible for more Government funding for training. Please talk to the British Racing School or National Horseracing College. They may also be able to suggest other training options.
We’d suggest one of two options for you:
- You can apply to work with a racehorse trainer and your training can be led by your employer. Selected racehorse trainers offer employer-led training. This is a new scheme run by the British Horseracing Authority and the National Trainers Federation. You train on-the-job and the racehorse trainer measures your progress against a Racing Groom Skills Passport.
- Students up to 22 years old may be eligible for the Foundation Level 1 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care and then the Level 2 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care. Funding support may be available from the racing industry, so please speak to the racing schools for more information.
Register with the Racing Groom Hub
By registering with our Racing Groom Hub we’ll notify you of courses, events and other industry news to help you start your career. You can also create and save a CV and letter to employers for work experience or jobs. As a bonus, we’ve arranged discounts and offers for you from a wide range of suppliers, events and services.
Complete your Foundation Level 1 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care
If you are under 22 you may be eligible for the Foundation Level 1 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care. You can then be placed on an apprenticeship to compete your Level 2 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care.
Employer-Led Training
Your employer is responsible for your selection, recruitment, induction, ongoing training and assessment against set standards in a Racing Groom Skills Passport. Your employer will pay you wages whilst you train.
Complete your training and find work
If you have worked hard and made a good impression during your apprenticeship or employer-led training, it is likely that your employer will keep you on. If you need or want to find a new job in another yard, then you can apply direct to other yards using our CV and letter templates from the Racing Groom Hub. You can look at vacancies on the jobs board at Careersinracing too.
Develop your skills, experience and career with further training
There are lots of other training opportunities you can take once you are employed. You can complete your Level 3 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care and Management, gain other yard skills, improve your work riding or train to be a jockey or a trainer.
The Careers Advice and Training Service can help you plan your next steps and funding could be available from the industry or your employer for further training. The National Trainers Federation Charitable Trust (NTFCT) Grant and the Toby Balding Award for Development and Training could also give you financial support for your training.
And remember, your pay is linked to your level of experience and qualifications – the more training and skills you learn, the more you will get paid.
Join RACINGGROOM.com NOW!
Create an account on the Racing Groom Hub
Use our free CV & cover letter tools for easy job applications and to apply for Work Experience
Find any licensed trainer in the UK using our ’Trainer Locator’ who may offer you a job or work experience.
Access exclusive benefits for Racing Grooms
Top tip! If you can’t see your perfect job advertised, trainers welcome speculative applications too! Use the trainer locator to get started.